March 20th 2015. Happy International Day of Happiness!

It's the morning of the solar eclipse, so the day already feels like it's got a bit of extra buzz to it, but if the clouds roll over, here's another reason to feel joyful.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/wellbeing/11482795/International-Day-of-Happiness-how-happy-are-you.html

Yoga with Mala. If you would like to do a yoga class with Mala on a Saturday morning at The Chandos Clinic, please ring reception to book.

Although I have doubts about the wisdom of new year's resolutions that try to implement major life changes whilst we're still in the depths of winter, nonetheless the change in the calendar is a powerful incentive to think about how we want to develop as we head towards spring. If one of your priorities for this year is health, then there are many strategies you can adopt, nutritionally, physically and mentally to improve your overall stateof health. For me, the turning point in my 20s was yoga. I enjoyed the increasing strength and flexibility which resulted from it, and over time my mind became engaged by the ideas which underpin it. Twenty years later, I am now a qualified yoga teacher myself.

There are many misconceptions about yoga, including the idea that you have to be bendy, or that you have to buy into a particular philosophy. Bristol is a great city for yoga. There are many different kinds on offer. Different varieties suit different people at different stages in their lives. It's best to try some classes and see what works for you. If you're confused about where to start, or think a group class might not be the right approach for you, then you could think about having a teacher design a practice for you. That's what I do on Saturday mornings at the Chandos Clinic.

As an osteopath, I see people with all sorts of injuries or health issues, at all stages of fitness. That experience, combined with a thorough knowledge base in anatomy and physiology, allows me to design yoga practices tailored to people's particular needs. Whether you want a practice that will give you greater confidence in the use of your body, or you need a tailored stretching regime that will compliment your chosen sport or exercise, a yoga practice targeted to your needs would give you the tools to do the things that work for you, in your own space and time.

You can find out more about yoga at the Chandos on our website, or through reception. And whatever your aims for 2015, good luck in your efforts!

Mala Balani

Happy Mothers Day!

It's Mothers Day tomorrow and members of the public are walking passed the clinic window armed with boquets of flowers. If the weather is fine, my request for Mothers Day is to be left to spend the whole day doing the garden; I know Barbara is hoping to do the same in her allotment! So this is to wish all you mothers, an especially happy day tomorrow, whatever your own idea of blissful indulgence. If your children totter in to your room with proudly made breakfast trays, at the very least may your tea be hot and your toast unburnt! Today's papers are full of "Mothers Day recipes", but I thought I would share this poem by Billy Collins, in celebration and thanks, of mums everywhere.
http://www.gratefulness.org/poetry/lanyard_collins.htm

Sauna benefits!

As there were snow flurries this morning, and a chill wind keeps blowing the clinic door open, do warm your cockles reading this article from Medscape on the benefits of the sauna, and then go and sit in one if you can!
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/840410#vp_1

A Very Happy Valentine Anniversary!

Feb 14th 2015 was The Chandos Clinic's 15th birthday! Giles opened the clinic on Valentines Day 2000. Fifteen years on, he continues to run the practise with 4 other osteopaths and many complimenary therapists. Some of you will have been with us since the clinic opened. To all our patients, old and new, we send you our very best wishes, as we continue to offer you the best possible care. 

Activity: even a little goes a long way!

Do read this article from Medscape. I know we've written about it before, but it really does seem that our chairs are our biggest enemy, so get up and move around. Every little helps!

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/838625

Peanut Allergies: always tread with caution!

As a parent of a child with severe nut allergies, I was interested to read this article from yesterday's Observer. Perhaps a glimmer of hope, and some practical advice for new parents, but the wisest course still seems to be to educate our nut-allergic children, so that they have the knowledge and understanding of how to navigate the wider nuttier world. As it's impossible to monitor everything they eat, they need to understand the seriousness of their (thoroughly unfair!) situation and always act with caution. Primary school lunchtimes can be a hard challenge when other lunch-boxes hold things that look more enticing. Who doesnt want to nibble someone elses museli bar, especially when you're 5! My son learnt the hard way on a couple of occasions, but he difinitely learnt! When the school decided to go entirely "Nut Free", I was actually against it. The wider world isn't nut free and I didn't think it was doing my son any favours creating a bubble where he didnt need to keep his wits about him. It also deprived the majority of the other children with an excellent source of nutrition in their lunches. My son is now 14 and although thoroughly ditsy in many walks of his daily life, he is completely savvy when it comes to food ingredients and allergen labelling, and if he's ever in doubt, he passes, however delicious something looks!

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/feb/01/can-my-childs-peanut-allergy-be-cured